Paul Merton
Paul Merton
Paul successfully brought silent comedy to a whole new audience with his Paul Merton's Silent Clowns TV series on BBC4. His energy and enthusiasm for the era is infectious.
Tim Brooke Taylor
Tim Brooke-Taylor is a British comic actor - best known as a member of "The Goodies" and as one of the panel members of the radio shows I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue and I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again. A member of the footlights and ex-Lord Rector of the University of St. Andrews, Brooke-Taylor has worked with such luminaries as John Cleese and Gene Wilder. Along with former Goodies co-host Graeme Garden, Tim will host Saturday’s gala event at St George’s: ‘Buster Keaton, Classic Comedy Shorts to Live Music’.
Graeme Garden 
Peter Lord Long-time Buster Keaton fan Peter Lord is a co-founder of Aardman Animations, the world-renowned Bristol based animation company. Peter is a life long honorary member of Bristol Silents and will be hosting ‘Pencil and Plasticine’ on Thursday 17 Jan at Watershed.
Go to the Aardman Animations website >>
Neil Innes
Following his appearance last year, Neil Innes joins us again for Slapstick 2008 to co-present a very special event with Phill Jupitus. Phill & Neil’s Slapstick Heaven (Sunday 20 Jan, Watershed) looks at how the silent era influenced modern comedy greats and will also share with the audience insights into their own passions and influences.
Paul McGann
It’s our pleasure to welcome back Paul to Slapstick this year. An actor an avid silent film fan, Paul is a regular contributor to Bristol Silents events. Paul will be joining Paul Merton at this year’s Gala event at Colston Hall where he will be giving wonderful renditions of two Charlie Chaplin songs, supported by musician Neil Brand and selected members of the Emerald Ensemble. Paul will also be co-hosting Silent Comedy and The Great War (Sunday 20th Jan, Watershed) with Matthew Sweet during which they will look at the role of silent comedy in boosting morale during this period.
David Wyatt
An author, researcher and programmer. David is a champion of silent comedy having programmed comedy seasons for the national film theatre and various festivals around the world. David joins us again this year to present Funny Ladies II (Friday 18th Jan, Watershed) alongside Byrony Dixon and he’ll be interviewing Jean Darling live on-stage during Laurel and Hardy Tales With Jean Darling (Saturday 19th Jan, Watershed).
Phill Jupitus
We’re delighted to welcome Phill Jupitus to Slapstick for the first time. Phill is a regular on TV and radio panel shows, including BBC radio 4’s I’m Sorry, I haven’t a Clue and is a team captain on Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Phill joins Neil Innes as co-host for Phill & Neil’s Slapstick Heaven.
Nicholas Parsons
Again, it is our honour to welcome Nicholas to Slapstick for the first time. Perhaps best known as the host of Radio 4’s Just a Minute, Nicholas will discuss his long and distinguished career in TV and radio as well as his passion for Keaton, Chaplin, the Arthur Haynes show and Benny Hill during Audience with Nicholas Parsons on Saturday 19th Jan at Watershed, an event that will be hosted by Paul Merton.
Bristol Silents patron David is Pordenone Film Festival’s Creative Director, a film critic, an author and a film historian. David has been one of Bristol Silents’ greatest supporters and will be hosting Chaplin: A fresh Look panel Discussion (Saturday 19th Jan, Watershed) with guests Paul Merton, Serge Bromberg and Byrony Dixon.
Pordenone Silent Film Festival website >>
Silent era legend Jean Darling returns to Slapstick – and what a thrill it promises to be. Jean, star of Hal Roach’s classic ‘Our Gang’, hosts Laurel & Hardy Tales with Jean Darling (Saturday 19th Jan, Watershed). Jean was there as filmdom’s favourite comedy duo developed and Jean will offer us her unique and fascinating insights to her time working with the pair. Jean will also be interviewed by David Wyatt and, who knows, she might even give us a song!
Slapstick 2008 welcomes yet another new special guest to this year’s fun and laughter, Paris-based, Lobster Film Co-founder Serge Bromberg. Since 1985, Lobster Films have been championing the restoration and archive of silent film and Serge is bringing his wonderful Retour de Flamme show to the UK for the first time (Thursday 17 Jan, Watershed). Serge also forms part of the Charlie Chaplin Fresh Look panel.
Neil is the musical backbone of the slapstick festival. One of the finest exponents of improvised silent film accompaniment in the world, pianist and composer Neil Brand has been accompanying silent films for over 20 years. It’s our pleasure to welcome back Neil, who will delight us once more with his extraordinary abilities.
Conductor, violinist, pianist, composer and regularly a guest at international film festivals. Gunter (as previous festivals will confirm) is able to accompany films simultaneously with both piano and the Violin! Gunter will accompany events on piano and violin throughout the festival.